Last updated on April 21st, 2024
To help decide where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we have written the below comprehensive accommodation guide on the city’s most popular districts with the best hotel pick!
Ho Chi Minh City (HCM), formerly known as Saigon is a wonderful place to visit in Vietnam. This city offers so much for travelers to visit. From classic history buildings and delicious street food, there are so many exciting attractions awaiting you to discover.
Whether you’re staying in HCM one night or a few nights, there are plenty of hotels in the city. Just make sure you choose the ideal location, which is an important first step in planning your trip. The right accommodation can make a huge difference on your visit to the city.
Although HCM may not be the official Vietnamese capital, this bustling city is huge and full of people. There are 24 districts in the city and deciding on where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City can be a headache. To help you decide the best stay, we would recommend staying at Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 to get most of the city.
Let’s check out where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Where To Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City? The best places to stay in Saigon are District 1, District 2, District 3, and District 5. Listed here is my recommendation and reason, based on your budget.
If this is your first time traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, we highly recommend you stay in District 1. The District 1 is the commercial center of the city and most of the city top’s attractions can be reached within walking distance.
District 2 is good for travelers with their families and kids. The area is the residential area and more laid back.
District 3 is another good option for where stay in Ho Chi Minh City for the first-time visitor. It is situated in the Northwest of District 1 with loads of markets, coffee shops, but slightly away from the bustling area.
District 5 is the best to stay if you are looking for an authentic Asian experience. This area is home to Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown and also the Binh Tay Market. This area is full of eateries and food spots.
For budget travelers, the backpacker District around Pham Ngu Lao Street and Bui Vien Street at District 1 is always the best pick for where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City on a budget. It is also the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh for nightlife.
For more accommodation options in Ho Chi Minh City check out Booking.com. They continuously offer the best rates and their custom service is on point.
Ho Chi Minh District 1
District 1 is a great place to stay in HCM, especially for first-time visitors who want to see all the most popular sites of the city. At District 1, you’ll find some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Bitexco Financial Tower, and more.
In terms of accommodation, you can find various selections, from upscale hotels that offer impeccable service to super-budget hostels and guest houses!
Here are the best hotels for where stay in Ho Chi Minh City – District 1 that are best selected for you:
- Luxury: Hotel Majestic Saigon
- High-range: Fusion Suites Saigon
- Mid-budget: Green Star Hotel
Hotel Majestic Saigon
To treat yourself during your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, the Hotel Majestic Saigon is a great choice. This colonial-style 1920 landmark sits in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and overlooks the Saigon River. It offers plenty of modern amenities and yet still retains its French colonial style.
During your stay, you will also enjoy a view of the Saigon River and you can rest assured that this property is comfortable and it has all the luxurious facilities included! You can expect a supremely comfortable experience thanks to the hotel’s pool, spa center, and restaurants. The best luxury stay in Ho Chi Minh City!
Fusion Suites Saigon
Another worth recommendation is the Fusion Suites Saigon. It is situated in the vibrant District 1 that is near to everything but not a very loud street.
Visitors love its sleek, modern design and sparkling-clean facilities. The super comfy room is incredibly comfortable and had everything you need for an excellent stay. The breakfast is excellent, with a nice mixture of local and Western foods.
Green Star Hotel
Green Star Hotel is the best place to stay if you’re looking for a mid-budget stay in Ho Chi Minh City. The room is simple, and clean and has some amenities that will help you have a comfortable stay.
The location is excellent and you will be a short walk from all the interesting attractions in this area! Plus, it is very close to many bus stations and could easily arrange to the airport and other cities in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh District 2
District 2 is my recommendation for people traveling to HCM with their family and kids. District 2 is a residential area and it is a bit more laid-back compared to District 1. A 10 to 20 minutes ride will get you to the city center. Plus, some hotels will offer free shuttle service downtown!
Listed below are some of the most highly-rated accommodation options in District 2.
- Luxury: Mia Saigon – Luxury Boutique Hotel
- High-range: Glenwood City Resort
- Mid-budget: Mecozy Apartel
Mia Saigon
If you’re on a luxury gateway, opt for a little luxury at Mia Saigon! It is a luxury boutique hotel boasted with lovely rooms and great balconies with wonderful views of the river. All facilities are clean and well-maintained.
The location is slightly far from the city but a free boat service connecting to downtown District 1 is a great plus. Everything was immaculate and extremely comfortable.
Glenwood City Resort
Glenwood City Resort is another good value hotel in District 2 that has some unbeatable rates considering the quality of its service! The room is spacious and clean, the staff is helpful and pleasant.
Besides, this accommodation is situated in the heart of the Thao Dien area with views of the Saigon River. A bus terminal is just right in front of the resort where guests can take bus 35 to Ben Thanh Market in 30 minutes.
Mecozy Apartel
Mecozy Apartel is a cozy apartment hotel located in the Thao Dien area of District 2. The studio featured with spacious room and a well-equipped kitchen with everything to make you feel comfortable at home. The location is also convenient with restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance. Perfect for a stay for a family with kids.
Ho Chi Minh District 3
Situated northwest of District 1, District 3 is another best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. This area is home to plenty of good restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls. Most importantly, accommodation is slightly cheaper compared with District 1. A drawback is it’s a bit of a walk from the main attractions in District 1. Alternatively, a grab ride can easily take you to the city’s downtown.
Here are some of the top-rated hotels if you are looking for where to stay in Hi Chi Minh City – District 3:
- Luxury: La Vela Saigon Hotel
- High-range: Orchids Saigon Hotel
- Mid-budget: Leaf Signature Hotel
La Vela Saigon Hotel
La Vela Saigon Hotel is the best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City in case you’re looking for the ultimate luxurious stay in HCM District 3. The hotel is perfectly situated in the city center and only 700 m from Tan Dinh Market. Staying here means you’ll enjoy a spoiled stay with a 5-star hotel view.
The room is spacious and very comfortable. A great selection at breakfast can be enjoyed by the hotel guests. The sky bar is superb with a nice view and the infinity pool is also excellent!
Orchids Saigon Hotel
Orchids Saigon Hotel is a great choice in the high-range category but at a reasonable price. This famous hotel is located right in the heart of the city with top-notch facilities and amazing staff. The room is spacious and spotlessly clean. The location is perfect and situated right in the middle of the city but not much traffic noise. Good value for money!
Leaf Signature Hotel
For a great Hanoi mid-budget hotel option in District 3, you can head to Leaf Signature Hotel. It is a cozy and tastefully decorated hotel featured with comfortable rooms. It is practically within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions. Definitely one of the most affordable out of this middle-price list!
Ho Chi Minh District 5
District 5 is the best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City if you look for an authentic Asian experience. This area is home to Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown and also the Binh Tay Market, the largest market in Vietnam. Here you’ll find Buddhist temples, colorful pagodas, quaint tea houses, and Chinese street food.
Check out some of the top accommodation options in Distict 5.
- Luxury: Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City
- High-range: Zazz Urban Ho Chi Minh
Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City
Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is another superb accommodation in District 5 where you will enjoy full luxury service. This 5-star hotel has spacious and well-appointed rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi access, and a casino on site. Breakfast is exceptional, including an interesting variety from day-to-day. Plus, guests can enjoy the free shuttle bus service to the city center which is a great plus!
Zazz Urban Ho Chi Minh
Zazz Urban Ho Chi Minh is another great recommendation if you are looking for where to stay in Saigon. The stylish hotel featured modern rooms and everything else you might need for a comfortable stay.
Clean rooms and well-maintained. Great selection of breakfast choices, both Western and Vietnamese dishes. Plus, the staff is very friendly and makes you comfortable.
Best Budget Hostels in Ho Chi Minh
If you’re looking for where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City on a budget, then you’ll need to check out some of Ho Chi Minh’s cheap and fantastic hostels! There are plenty of cheap hostels with affordable dorms and rooms that suit your budget option. It’s also very ideal for solo and backpackers to look for an amazing stay in HCM.
Below is our best pick for the best budget hostel in Ho Chi Minh City.
9 Hostel and Bar is a super social hostel that offers sleek dormitory rooms and private guestrooms with free WiFi access. It boasts all the basics and is very comfortable for a short stay in the city.
The hostel is in a great location in District 1. It is within a short walk from the popular Bui Vien Walking Street and an easy walk to the main attractions in the city. The staff is super friendly and always tries to help you. A popular pick for budget travelers!
The Nineties Hostel is an affordable base for budget stays in Ho Chi Minh City. The interior design is cozy with a great vibe in the hostel. The room is clean and neat. Plus, the location is perfect and great for walking around Ho Chi Minh City. Excellent value for the money and is centrally located.
Overview: Best Hotel at Ho Chi Minh City
All in all, hopefully you have already chosen a place to stay in Ho Chi Minh among all my lists of the best places to stay! All the hotels recommended are great and they offer an amazing service!
If you’re still not sure which is right for you, here’s a quick recap.
Hotel Majestic Saigon at District 1 is a great choice for luxury stay. This colonial-style 1920 landmark sits in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and overlooks the Saigon River. It offers plenty of modern amenities and yet still retains its French colonial style.
Alternatively, Green Star Hotel is the best place to stay if you’re looking for a mid-budget stay in Ho Chi Minh City. The room is simple, and clean and has some amenities that will help you have a comfortable stay.
Lastly, I hope you have such a unique experience in HCM that you will never forget it! If you need more travel inspiration for Vietnam, here you can find all our travel stories about this wonderful country!
Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City? Feel free to read on our Saigon travel stories.
- Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: A Saigon Travel Guide Blog
- Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide: What To Eat in Saigon
Related Northern Vietnam travel stories (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay):
- Things To Do in Sapa Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Sapa: Best Hotels and Homestays
- A Trip To Halong Bay: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
- Things To Do in Hanoi Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Hanoi: Best Areas and Hotels
- Hanoi Food Guide: Where and What To Eat
Related Central Vietnam travel stories (Da Nang, Hoi An):
